What Are the 10 Biggest Spiders in the World?

TL;DR

The Giant Huntsman Spider tops this list with legs measuring up to 12 inches, making it the biggest spider by leg span. The countdown of the 10 largest spiders ranges from the venomous Brazilian Wandering Spider (5.9-inch leg span) and the 10-mph Camel Spider to the Goliath Bird Eating Spider of the Amazon. Read on for each species' size, habitat, defenses, and the myths (like the camel-stomach story) that surround them.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 😃 The biggest spiders in the world, such as the Brazilian Wandering Spider and Goliath Bird Eating Spider, can be highly venomous and pose a threat to humans.
• 🐎 Some spiders, like the Camel Spider and Giant Huntsman Spider, have unique hunting methods and impressive speed.
• 🔰 Certain tarantula species, like the Chako Golden Knee, are suitable for beginner owners and have a docile temperament.
• 👶 The discovery of new spider species, such as the Face Size Tarantula, showcases the ongoing efforts to understand and protect wildlife in spite of global conflict and limited research opportunities.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the biggest spider in the world?

The Giant Huntsman Spider is hailed as the biggest spider globally, with legs measuring up to 12 inches long. Rather than build a web, it hunts prey directly and can move about three feet in a single second. It lives mainly in the caves of Laos and was discovered in 2001.

Q: How big is the Brazilian Wandering Spider and how venomous is it?

The Brazilian Wandering Spider has a 5.9-inch leg span and, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is one of the most venomous arthropods in the world. It doesn't build webs but wanders the forest floor at night, killing prey by direct attack or ambush. Scientists say its aggression is only a defense mechanism against predators.

Q: How fast is the Camel Spider and do they eat camel stomachs?

The Camel Spider has a 6-inch leg span and is one of the fastest spiders, moving up to 10 miles per hour. The belief that they attach to camels and eat their stomachs is a myth that was debunked, though the name stuck. They are not venomous and feed on lizards, rodents, insects, and small birds.

Q: What is the face-size tarantula and where is it found?

The face-size tarantula has a leg span of nearly 8 inches and is found in India and Sri Lanka. Scientists did not know it existed until they discovered it in 2012. It prefers old trees but has moved into abandoned buildings due to deforestation.

Q: How big is the Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird Eater and what does it eat?

The Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird Eater has a leg span measuring 10 inches, making it one of the world's largest tarantulas. Despite its name, the bulk of its diet comes from insects, frogs, mice, and a few lizards, not just birds. It is native to Brazil but can also be found in Paraguay and Argentina.

Q: What is unique about the Colombian Giant Red Leg Spider's defense?

The Colombian Giant Red Leg Spider has a leg span of up to 7 inches and bright reddish-orange hairs on its legs. When threatened, it spins and bobs up and down, then uses hidden thorny spikes on its back legs to face the danger before biting as a last resort. It is also known for dashing away at high speed.

Q: What is the biggest spider found in Africa?

The Hercules Baboon Spider is native to Africa. It is a large, rare species, though much about it remains unknown to researchers.

Q: Where does the Goliath Bird Eating Spider live?

The Goliath Bird Eating Spider has an 11-inch leg span and resides in the Amazon rainforest. It mainly feeds on small terrestrial vertebrates and insects.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Brazilian Wandering Spider is one of the most venomous spiders, with a leg span of 5.9 inches. They don't build webs and are aggressive only as a defense mechanism.

• The Camel Spider, found in the desert, has a leg span of 6 inches and is known for its incredible speed. Contrary to popular belief, they do not eat camel stomachs.

• The Colombian Giant Red Leg Spider has bright reddish orange hairs on its legs and lives in Colombia and Brazil. It uses thorny spikes and quick speed to defend against threats.

• The Face Size Tarantula, discovered in 2012, has a leg span of nearly 8 inches and is found in India and Sri Lanka. It prefers abandoned places due to deforestation.

• The Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird Eater Spider, one of the largest tarantulas, has a leg span of 10 inches. It feeds on insects, frogs, mice, and some birds.

• The Giant Huntsman Spider, with legs measuring up to 12 inches, is known for hunting its prey rather than building webs. They reside mainly in caves in Laos.

• The Hercules Baboon Spider is a rare species found in Africa. Not much is known about its appearance, but it is large and aggressive.

• The Chako Golden Knee Tarantula is one of the largest spider species and has a docile temperament. It preys on smaller insects and is suitable for beginner tarantula owners.

• The Goliath Bird Eating Spider has an 11-inch leg span and resides in the Amazon rainforest. They mainly eat small terrestrial vertebrates and insects.

• The Gramostola Anthracena is a tarantula species found in South America, known for its size and behavior when kept as a pet.